El-Ghobashy writes, "The 2011 uprising isn't just about a bundle of economic grievances or a political cry that Mubarak must leave. It draws a causal connection between economic suffering and lack of representation."

Cooley writes, "The silver lining in this whole episode, beyond the fact that the Egyptian people appear to be taking a serious step towards greater self-representation, is that the power of emulation, disseminated by Al Jazeera and social networking media, may now be emerging as a powerful mobilizing alternative to the "stability" canard."